Shirebrook’s Watson fires hat-trick after missing penalty

The prolific Kieren Watson made up for an early penalty-miss with a hat-trick to ease Shirebrook Town to a 3-1 win in the race for promotion from the Northern Counties East League’s First Division.

It looked like being a bad day for Watson when his spot-kick was saved after Declan Brewin had been brought down, especially as Rotherham hosts Swallownest proceeded to take a tenth-minute lead through Alex Lill.

But Watson responded with goals on 28 and 34, after good service from Jordan Claxton, and he sealed the points on 62 when chipping the onrushing ‘keeper from a Sam Dockwray pass.

The win kept Shirebrook fifth in the table, just six points off second with six to play.